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Iga Swiatek lashes out at tennis officials in 'sad' announcement

Iga Switaek (pictured) applauds after winning the US Open.
Iga Switaek (pictured) has announced she won't play in the Billie Jean King Cup. (Getty Images)

World No.1 Iga Swiatek has blasted the WTA Tour for its 'unsafe' schedule for athletes after the US Open champ withdrew from the Billie Jean King Cup.

Swiatek is coming off a stunning 2022 season having won both Roland Garros and the US Open to further cement herself as the best player in the game.

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However, Swiatek admitted she was upset with scheduling of the Billie Jean King Cup tournament in Scotland.

The event is so close to the WTA Finals that she has been forced to withdraw, putting it down to travelling across different time zones only a day out from the end-of-year tournament.

Writing on Instagram, Swiatek said: "I was thinking it through a lot and discussing it with my team all over again, but I will not be able to play at the Billie Jean King Cup in Glasgow.

"And it makes me sad. I'm very sorry, because I play for Poland whenever it's possible and I always give it my best. Playing in Poland this year (in the qualifiers in April) was an honour and I hoped to do this again at the end of the season.

"I'm disappointed that tennis governing bodies didn't come to an agreement on something as basic as the calendar of tournaments, giving us only one day to travel through the globe and changing the time zone.

"The situation is not safe for our health and could cause injury. I'm going to talk to the WTA and ITF in order to change something. This situation is difficult not only for the players like me, but mainly for the tennis fans that support our sport."

Tennis world reacts to Iga Swiatek announcement

Swiatek's move, while disappointing, had the backing of the tennis world.

Many agreed with Swiatek's comments on the tennis calendar and said other top players could also be forced to withdraw.

American doubles great Pam Shriver backed Swiatek's move and also called out the scheduling.

The absence of the French Open and US Open champion is a blow to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, which runs from November 8-13 at the Emirates Arena.

The event features 12 teams, including Australia who will take on Slovakia and Belgium in the group stage.

Meanwhile, Swiatek was captured during a practice match with World No.4. Paula Badosa in the Czech Republic.

Iga Swiatek (pictured) poses with the US Open trophy.
Iga Swiatek (pictured) won the US Open and Roland Garros in 2022. (Photo by Lev Radin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Switaek is taking part at the Ostrava Open and faces Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic in the Last 16.

The pair have met twice before, with Swiatek winning on both occasions.

with AAP

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